In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
Present simple example sentences | |
---|---|
Do you like them with or without the skin on? | ¿Te gustan con o sin piel? |
I usually take the train. | Normalmente tomo el tren. |
Anyway, what else do we have left to do now? | En fin, ¿qué más nos queda por hacer ahora? |
Do you really think it looks like we have a cleaner? | ¿Realmente crees que parece que tenemos un limpiador? |
Mike, teriyaki is Japanese, we are at a Chinese restaurant. | Mike, el teriyaki es japonés, nosotros estamos en un restaurante chino. |
And now we've got plenty of mushrooms left to use. | Y ahora tenemos muchos champiñones para usar. |
You don’t look like an English teacher to me. | No te ves como un profesor de Inglés, en mi opinión. |
What about that table? It looks better. | ¿Y qué tal esa mesa? Parece mejor. |
Don't worry Diego, it's not related to you! | No te preocupes Diego, ¡no tiene nada que ver contigo! |
That's extreme, I don't think we have a mortar and pestle. | Eso es extremo, no creo que tengamos un mortero. |
Exactly, I hate getting woken up in the middle of the night! | Exactamente, ¡odio que me despierten en medio de la noche! |
I'm sorry, I'm not good at remembering names sometimes! | Lo siento, ¡a veces no soy bueno recordando nombres! |
I didn't know that, I hope it's not serious. | No lo sabía, espero que no sea grave. |
Hello, do you have a Tesco Clubcard sir? | Hola, ¿tiene tarjeta del Club Tesco? |
Thanks father, where is Bear's lead? | Gracias papá, ¿dónde está la correa de Bear? |
I've only got Saturday left before I have to move on Sunday. | Sólo me queda el sábado antes de que me tenga que mudar el domingo. |
Yes, he is totally fine after resting for a while. | Sí, está totalmente bien después de descansar por un tiempo. |
That's fine, I'm almost ready. | Está bien, estoy casi lista. |
My dad is British and my mum is Australian. | Mi padre es británico y mi madre es australiana. |
I think so, at least there is no aggression. | Eso creo, al menos no hay agresividad. |